Rochester Fair's demolition derby a hit

ROCHESTER — There is something so satisfying about watching drivers crash into each other until there is just one car standing, still capable of movement.

The stands were full of people with just that thought for the demolition derby held on the grounds of the Rochester Fair on Sunday.

“This is the first time I saw this,” said Cindy Beaton of Farmington. “I think this is very cool.”

Cindy’s husband, Jim, said he likes that even though the cars are being destroyed, you can tell the drivers are having a great time, always smiling.

This year’s winner was Chuck Drew of Tilton. He has ties to Rochester as his business Camaro Heaven used to be in the Lilac City.

“I have been doing this for 20 years,” said Drew. “It’s the adrenaline I like, and it’s just fun."

Taking first place, Drew won bragging rights, and $1,500. Second place winner Mike Brown of Franklin took home $750.

Dan Galvis, owner of Skyfire productions of Leydon, Mass., is the maestro of mayhem. He said he has a long history of cars.

“I have been in motorsports since 1971,” said Galvis. “I was with the US Hot Rod Association, which is now the Monster Jam, for 15 years. I had my own drag race car and did mud racing. That’s fun. I have been doing shows now since 1999.”

“We are running two first heats, each with 11 cars,” said Galvis. “The four cars from each that still run will be entered in the feature, for the win. We also allow a last chance qualifier for the losing cars if they can get their car running. We will take two from there for the feature event.”

In the end, only nine cars made the final heat because only one of the broken ones could be repaired enough to take part.

Sometimes demolition derby is a family affair. Joe Suzar, 16, of Methuen, Mass., was driving in his first derby, following in the footsteps of his brother Shawn and father Dennis.

“I like driving,” said Joe. “I am not at all afraid to do this. I just had to wait until I was old enough.”

Old enough is 16, with a driver’s license.

Shawn said he doesn’t even care if he wins.

“I just go out and try to keep spinning around,” said Shawn. “For me, it’s more about the show. I usually end up ripping the car apart.”

Dennis, the patriarch of the derby family doesn’t participate any longer. Now he just does the work on the cars.

“It can be hard on your body,” said Dennis. “I like getting the cars ready for them now.”

Dennis explained how they strip pretty much everything not needed out of the car. The inside had only a driver’s seat.

“You take out all of the glass, for safety,” he said. “You take out the airbags, so they do not pop. The exhaust must go, because it will be the first thing to go otherwise. That’s why the cars are so loud. The hole you see in all the hoods is there in case of a fire, to make it easier to get to.”

As the cars were falling apart, Skyfire announcer Zeke O’Connell kept up a running banter that was almost as much fun as watching the cars.

“He could make someone making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich sound exciting,” said Galvis. O’Connell said he really could, that he loved talking up the crowds.

Ryan Bond, of Salisbury, Mass., was a first-time driver, and following his family tradition.

“My uncles do this,” said Bond. “I just bought the car on Monday, so we’ll see how it goes. I’m nervous. I’m not going to lie about that.”

During the final feature event, one car stalled, throwing up so much smoke that for a few minutes the drivers were flying blind. They just kept going and the spectators loved it.

Oscar Smith, 9, of Laconia thought it was so much fun, he was already telling his father he wanted to do demolition derby when he grew up.

“I like to see all the cars get destroyed,” said Oscar. “And then, they fix them, and they come right back. They get rebuilt so fast.”

Melissa and Ryan Boisselle of Ossipee came to bring their son Zander, 11, to his first demolition derby.

“I grew up around here, so I have seen them before, but Zander never did,” said Melissa. “We wanted to show him the excitement. I would try that if I got the chance.”

Zander was impressed and like his mom, thought he might like to try some day. His dad said he simply loves the mayhem.

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